“As interest in them grows, it is important to foster a commitment to conservation and social consciousness among tourists and locals alike. The festival is a great avenue to educate the public about the species while celebrating its magnificence and popularity — especially for children.”

The main activity during the event is swimming with the whale sharks, called dominoes locally. Luckily they aren't meat eaters. According to a scientific tracking project, the animals move between Central America, Mexico and southern U.S. waters, driven more by the availability of food than by a strictly defined migratory route.

Besides whale watching/swimming tours, visitors often go sportfishing, snorkeling and visit nearby attractions, such as Contoy Island National Park, the site of a wildlife reserve.